*** Homeschool List ***

[Ellester]

I know, having read many of Ellester's posts that to an extent she was being funny.

Ellester--I hope your FIL is okay.

Thanks DM3! It was tongue in cheek, but having experienced PS there was quite a bit of truth in it. The first serious discussion DH and I had about homeschooling was after a particularly stressful morning attempting to get dd off to first grade. The bus was very late, I was walking back to the house to get the number to call the school since it was past the bell and still no bus. I left the kids (I put a neighbor's dd on the bus as well, our school was a late start and they were already at work) at the end of our cul-de-sac and told them to get on the bus if it came. I could see them the whole time. As I was approaching the house with my then 3yo dd and 18mo ds, the bus showed up but my dd refused to get on it. So I am literally screaming at her from down the street to "GET ON THAT BUS". Our neighbor got on but the bus left my dd crying on the sidewalk. I ran back up to get dd who would not stop crying and said she never wanted to get on the bus again. My dh ended up driving dd to school (he was working from home at the time) and I drove my 3yo dd to preschool (she was late, of course). Once I returned to the house, dh and I sat down and decided to research more into homeschooling. The rest, as they say, is history.

FIL is doing better. His hospital visit was a comedy of errors and St. Joe's is supposed to be one of the top hospitals in the US! He was admitted through the ER with a blood infection. First the nurse tried to give him an antibiotic that can cause adverse reactions to people allergic to penicillin. He had an terrible reaction to penicillin the last time he had it and when the DR found out about what the nurse tried to give him, he had a fit. Then he was dehydrated from the infection and on IV fluids. Well, they gave him two extra doses of painkillers for his headaches that the doctor didn't approve and ended up overhydrating him since the meds cause water retention. He ended up with fluid in his lungs and around his heart and four nights in the hospital instead of the predicted two. It makes you want to stay as far away from hospitals as possible! He's still not 100%, but doing better. At least he's home. It is hard watching your parents age. He'll be 68 next month.

Well we just finished our first week of DD's virtual class room. I know she probably did alot more in that first week than she would have done in ps. She seems to be loving it. My favorite part of the week was as she was chewing on her Vita-Ball she said look mom I'm chewing gum in school! It's also so much nicer getting to the skating rink at 8:30 instead of 6:30 and having the ice almost to herself!!!! She still talked to her girlfriends from ps and the skating rink on the phone everynight. She still played with her "boyfriend" down the street and I didn't have to hear about the fight she had with her father over homework . This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship .......

Welcome to homeschooling! You will soon become spoiled having places to yourself.

Loved that article, Creekermom! It is so true. We are supposed to have a minimum of four hours of "instructional time" in a school day here in Georgia. Since I figure all of life is "instructional time" it's not too hard for us to meet the requirement. Now four hours a day of seatwork, ick!

We are officially over our number of "instructional" days for our school year. So I can technically take off until our new year starts on Oct. 1st. We have lots of projects to finish up, so we'll probably spend some time on those. I have to start keeping attendance on dd6 this upcoming year as well. That reminds me, I need to e-mail last month's attendance to the county.

 

[lexeka]

We started last Monday and had a few bumps throughout last week... but.... today was much better and dd7 loves what she is learning! Whoo Hoo!

 

[lori1043]

YAY, co-op started today and I think it is gonna' be GREAT!
My class is very small, but I am happy since it is my first!

Ellester, I THOUGHT it may be a little sarcastic, but had to tell you how we felt about it!!!

See ya!-Lori

 

[1luvleelaydee]

I want to start out by saying this site is soooo encouraging. This is my first post to the Disboards although I frequently come here for tips. I came across the homeschool thread and had to post. This is my first year homeschooling. My DS is now in fifth grade and I have been debating this very move to homeschool for the last 5 years. My DH has always been on board with HS but the other family members thought that it could be damaging because of the lack of socialization. So I was hesitant.

My son tested higher on all areas of the PS's standardized test. During his 4th grade year just last May he scored at nearly 9th grade levels in English, 8th grade levels in Reading, 6th grade levels in Math, and 5th grade in Science. I have to say that this is not from attending PS but from home supplements. He was so busy with filler work (repeatedly writing spelling words that were to easy, doing math problems that were not challenging, etc.) that he had no time for anything else. Now I can teach him at his level. Seeing that he is lacking in Science this is where we can focus. I am sure it is not him but the shortcomings of the school because he loves science.

Although this is our first year he is on the homeschool swim team which competes nationally and the homeschool baseball team. Activities he never would have been able to participate in while attending PS.

My DS is so happy that we made this move. I used to drive 2 hours round trip to take him to school and then 2 hours to go pick him up. I was spending over $600.00 in gas just to take him to what I thought was a better school. We also had the expense of school uniforms which were another $350.


Sorry to be so long on my first post but I am so happy to have an outlet of people who understand. We are here at WDW for 3 weeks. Something we never would have been able to do if DS attended PS. We have stayed off site for 8 days and tomorrow we check into Sports for the next 12 days.

WooHoo for homeschool.

 

[disneymom3]

Wow! What an awesome trip! Have a GREAT time and welcome to the DIS and to homeschooling.

 

[lori1043]

I want to start out by saying this site is soooo encouraging. This is my first post to the Disboards although I frequently come here for tips. I came across the homeschool thread and had to post. This is my first year homeschooling. My DS is now in fifth grade and I have been debating this very move to homeschool for the last 5 years. My DH has always been on board with HS but the other family members thought that it could be damaging because of the lack of socialization. So I was hesitant.

My son tested higher on all areas of the PS's standardized test. During his 4th grade year just last May he scored at nearly 9th grade levels in English, 8th grade levels in Reading, 6th grade levels in Math, and 5th grade in Science. I have to say that this is not from attending PS but from home supplements. He was so busy with filler work (repeatedly writing spelling words that were to easy, doing math problems that were not challenging, etc.) that he had no time for anything else. Now I can teach him at his level. Seeing that he is lacking in Science this is where we can focus. I am sure it is not him but the shortcomings of the school because he loves science.

Although this is our first year he is on the homeschool swim team which competes nationally and the homeschool baseball team. Activities he never would have been able to participate in while attending PS.

My DS is so happy that we made this move. I used to drive 2 hours round trip to take him to school and then 2 hours to go pick him up. I was spending over $600.00 in gas just to take him to what I thought was a better school. We also had the expense of school uniforms which were another $350.


Sorry to be so long on my first post but I am so happy to have an outlet of people who understand. We are here at WDW for 3 weeks. Something we never would have been able to do if DS attended PS. We have stayed off site for 8 days and tomorrow we check into Sports for the next 12 days.

WooHoo for homeschool.

You sound very "at peace" with your decision. I am happy for you and that this is working out for you. Welcome to the Dis and to our homeschool thread!!!

Lori

 

[lexeka]

I want to start out by saying this site is soooo encouraging. This is my first post to the Disboards although I frequently come here for tips. I came across the homeschool thread and had to post. This is my first year homeschooling. My DS is now in fifth grade and I have been debating this very move to homeschool for the last 5 years. My DH has always been on board with HS but the other family members thought that it could be damaging because of the lack of socialization. So I was hesitant.

My son tested higher on all areas of the PS's standardized test. During his 4th grade year just last May he scored at nearly 9th grade levels in English, 8th grade levels in Reading, 6th grade levels in Math, and 5th grade in Science. I have to say that this is not from attending PS but from home supplements. He was so busy with filler work (repeatedly writing spelling words that were to easy, doing math problems that were not challenging, etc.) that he had no time for anything else. Now I can teach him at his level. Seeing that he is lacking in Science this is where we can focus. I am sure it is not him but the shortcomings of the school because he loves science.

Although this is our first year he is on the homeschool swim team which competes nationally and the homeschool baseball team. Activities he never would have been able to participate in while attending PS.

My DS is so happy that we made this move. I used to drive 2 hours round trip to take him to school and then 2 hours to go pick him up. I was spending over $600.00 in gas just to take him to what I thought was a better school. We also had the expense of school uniforms which were another $350.


Sorry to be so long on my first post but I am so happy to have an outlet of people who understand. We are here at WDW for 3 weeks. Something we never would have been able to do if DS attended PS. We have stayed off site for 8 days and tomorrow we check into Sports for the next 12 days.

WooHoo for homeschool.

Welcome! I am so happy for you and your son! Come back and post your thoughts! Looking forward to it.....

 

[The Three Cabs]

Hi everyone, this thread is great! I have been homeschooling my sons for the last six years. It's always great to hear about other homeschool families. I work full time so it can be very difficult, but we have been able to stay with it and I can't imagine not homeschooling. Thankfully I have a mother who is willing to help out during the day, I couldn't do it without her.

 

[lori1043]

Hi everyone, this thread is great! I have been homeschooling my sons for the last six years. It's always great to hear about other homeschool families. I work full time so it can be very difficult, but we have been able to stay with it and I can't imagine not homeschooling. Thankfully I have a mother who is willing to help out during the day, I couldn't do it without her.

How blessed you are to have help!!!
I work also, but PRN- have a steady schedule though. I work LOTS of weekends to be able to HS. About 3 a month. It is nice when a month has 5 weeks!! I cannot wait till this weekend-1st, I'm off, 2nd, I'll have my DN5!

Lori

 

[lexeka]

What are ya'll using for Bible teaching this year? (For those that are....)

Thanks!

 

[LegoMom3]

What are ya'll using for Bible teaching this year? (For those that are....)

Thanks!

Ours is mostly incorporated into our unit studies (we use Konos). Each "theme" is based on a Biblical character trait and there are corresponding scriptures within.

We might be going to an area Community Bible Study but I haven't decided yet if it'll be a good outing for the kids (they have a large home school group with appropriate classes) or just make more work for us (there's homework involved for me and the oldest child).

 

[disneymom3]

I don't believe in homework! Seriously I don't. To me it ends up dictating to my kids what they have to do and is too much of a waste of time the majority of the time.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

I don't believe in homework! Seriously I don't. To me it ends up dictating to my kids what they have to do and is too much of a waste of time the majority of the time.

I agree. However, I do assign "independent" work. Sometimes this needs to be done right away, other times in a week, sometimes in a month.

My ultimate goal, other than learning the material, is learning time management skills and learning how quickly (or slowly) time goes by. The independent work is always something interesting, fun, related to our unit study, highly educational and useful. I make sure it's challenging enough to keep it interesting, but simple enough that it truly can be done "independently".

I think "busy" work - aka "homework" is a big, fat, waste of time.

 

[lori1043]

I LOVED KONOS when we used it. How come I feel in the past 2 years that we need to be more regimented and use seperate curriculum for each subject?
Well, I am glad I am now, but miss KONOS. My kids needed a more regimented schooling. BUT, I am all for ditching it for a week here or there for KONOS or a unit study we get really in to!!
Yeah, we were princesses and queens for a few weeks. It offered wonderful study right after Katrina. KONOS was easy to bring with us on evacuation and I found a GREAT castle book at Half Price Books in Dallas!

Lori(STILL royalty !! )

 

[Tink561]

Do you all doing anything with preschoolers? My little one just turned 20 months. When should I start doing little things with her?

I've never homeschooled anything below 1st grade.

Any suggestions?!

 

[lexeka]

Ours is mostly incorporated into our unit studies (we use Konos). Each "theme" is based on a Biblical character trait and there are corresponding scriptures within.

We might be going to an area Community Bible Study but I haven't decided yet if it'll be a good outing for the kids (they have a large home school group with appropriate classes) or just make more work for us (there's homework involved for me and the oldest child).

I've never used or even heard of Konos. We are using Bob Jones this year with Horizons. I have to say, it is a lot more like traditional classroom teaching.... sometimes I wish we unschooled but am not sure how that would benefit my daughter..... Oh decisions, decisions.

Do you all doing anything with preschoolers? My little one just turned 20 months. When should I start doing little things with her?

I've never homeschooled anything below 1st grade.

Any suggestions?!

We bought the Preschool Horizons and it is really good. Our dd is almost 4. Our first dd we didn't do a curriculum. We did puzzles, shapes and lacing items with colors, sang songs and such.... very laid back and she learned SO much...... I would do that for at least the next year..... then maybe look at some workbooks. We did Kumon books with our dd almost 4 last year. They have maze books, color, counting, cutting, etc. I found them at Barnes and Nobles.....

 

[Tink561]

We bought the Preschool Horizons and it is really good. Our dd is almost 4. Our first dd we didn't do a curriculum. We did puzzles, shapes and lacing items with colors, sang songs and such.... very laid back and she learned SO much...... I would do that for at least the next year..... then maybe look at some workbooks. We did Kumon books with our dd almost 4 last year. They have maze books, color, counting, cutting, etc. I found them at Barnes and Nobles.....

Thanks! I wasn't planning to buy anything formal right away. I did get some lacing things at Target lat week and we work puzzles, etc.

Thanks!

 

[lexeka]

Thanks! I wasn't planning to buy anything formal right away. I did get some lacing things at Target lat week and we work puzzles, etc.

Thanks!

I'll let ya'll know at the end of the year if the Horizons Preschool was worth it... .Right now it's ok.....

 

[Ellester]

Do you all doing anything with preschoolers? My little one just turned 20 months. When should I start doing little things with her?

I've never homeschooled anything below 1st grade.

Any suggestions?!

At 20 months, I would just spend lots of time reading and cuddling. I would start something more formal only when your little one demands it. My 3yo ds feels left out if he is not "doing school" with his sisters. I bought him the preschool workbook set from Rod & Staff. They are quite good and very inexpensive. I know I paid under $20 for 6 workbooks and a book of Bible stories. He usually just colors in them, occasionally I get him to do a lesson. But I am certainly not pushing academics with him yet.

 

[lori1043]

HS'ing preschoolers-If you are a Christian and want a Christian curriculum, you would LOVE "Hands on Homeschooling". it is by a mother in Texas. I used this for my 4 year old(we used the 3 year old curriculum though) who is now 9! We LOVED it. I wanted her to be ready for kindergarten(which she went to PS for that and 1st) and this was great. It hardly felt like school or anything clse. If your child likes making things and doing activities, this would be great. It is about $100 and all the activities are there for you and reproducible.
Google it, it will come up. It took about 30-45 minutes a day so sometimes we'd do days at a time-sometimes!!!

It is simple, direct and fun!

Lori